Several seconds passed in silence after they took their seats, yet the weight in the room did not ease. It only settled deeper, as though something unseen had chosen to remain and watch.
Alejandro leaned back into his chair, crossing one leg over the other with effortless elegance, his fingers resting lightly against the armrest as though nothing about this meeting disturbed him. His eyes, however, did not leave Damian.
"I must admit," he began smoothly, his tone refined and almost amused, "it is not every day one encounters merchants of your… caliber."
Damian did not respond immediately. He sat still, relaxed, one arm resting on the armrest, the other placed loosely on his lap. His posture lacked tension, yet it carried a quiet authority that filled the space between them.
"You speak as though you have encountered many," Damian replied at last, his voice calm and almost disinterested.
